Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3

A pretty paint chip does not make a pretty wall color. Want to see this in action? Just ask a child to pick out what color they want to paint their room. Exhibit A below. My son chose BM Big Country Blue 2066-30 (paint dot on the far left). Most adults instinctively know that the bright beautiful blue is somehow going to make for a dizzying wall color. Still, give an adult a paint fan deck or put them in front of the paint chip section at the hardware store and that can be forgotten as well. It doesn't mean that bright and bold walls aren't an option (ie. F&B St. Giles Blue or the BM equivalent Lake Tahoe 783). It just means the paint needs to be something muddier than you'd think. Even if you're in Greece or Palm Beach. And if you are, call me. I'll come visit.

This leads us to another important (and often overlooked) factor when selected paint. And that is TESTING. Testing paint is important for several reasons:

• Color Accuracy: The color you see in the store may look different on your walls due to lighting, room size, and existing colors. Testing allows you to see how the paint looks in your specific space.

• Emotional Impact: Color can affect mood and ambiance. Testing helps you choose a color that resonates positively with you and fits the intended atmosphere of the room.

Common Mistakes When Testing Paint

Many people skip the testing process due to a lack of understanding of it's importance or lack of knowledge about how to do it properly. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

• Not Testing in Different Lighting: Colors can appear differently at various times of the day. Test your paint samples in both natural and artificial light to see how they change.

• Using Too Small Samples: A tiny swatch can be misleading. Sorry, but those little cards from the wall at the paint store aren't going to cut it. Use a larger sample area (at least 2x2 feet) to get a better sense of the color. Sampilize is your friend. And so are sample pots if you prefer that route.

• Failing to Test Multiple Colors: It’s wise to test a few different shades to compare how they look in your space before making a final decision.

• Ignoring Surrounding Colors: Consider the colors of your furniture, decor, and flooring. Testing a color near to these elements can help you visualize the overall look. BUT, you cannot test the paint by holding the color directly next to these elements. WHAT?!, you say. Keep reading.

  

  This classic Josef Albers exercise of creating four colors (to the eye) from three colors demonstrates why you must test your paint properly. Put it on a white background to isolate the color, don't just stick the Samplize sticker directly to your wall that's already painted some other color. Image Source: https://medium.com/re-write/a-brief-color-study-inspired-by-josef-albers-9d6ac9614d21

  
  

How to Properly Test Paint

This is the meat of the post. Congratulations to you readers who've made it this far! To effectively test paint, follow these steps:

1. Choose Your Colors: Select a few shades that you are considering for your walls.

2. Prepare the Surface: Ensure the wall is clean and primed if necessary. This helps the paint adhere better and gives a more accurate representation of the final color. Here is the reality, none of us will likely test paint on a clean and primed wall. So, here is my advice, have a piece of white poster board on hand and use that as your "primed" wall. You can move it around and isolate the color. Just make sure you have the board positioned in the same way the paint would go (ie. not laying horizontal on the floor next to the wall). Win Win.

3. Apply Samples: Paint a large enough section on the wall. The sample chips you grab from the store are not large enough to use for this purpose.

4. Observe Over Time: Take note of how the color looks at different times of the day and under various lighting conditions. The convenience of the poster board is that you can move it around.

5. Make Your Decision: After a few days of observation, choose the color that best fits your vision for the space.

Conclusion

Testing paint is a simple yet crucial step in the painting process that can save time, effort, and money. By understanding its importance and avoiding common mistakes, you can ensure that the final result is a color you will love for years to come. So before you (or someone you love) rolls out that paintbrush, take the time to test your colors properly!